James R. Rooney

A native born in Lynn and moved to Arizona in 2002.

James was the son of Linda Benevento Manning of Queen Creek, Arizona and James J Rooney of Phoenix, Arizona, who preceded him in death, and stepson of the late Duane Manning. Brother of the late Michael Remson, James is survived by his sister Jeanna Thompson and her fiancé Joseph Beaulieu of Andover, his brother Brain Rooney and his wife Vanessa of Hillsboro Oregon, his stepsister Renay Gideon and husband Mike of Howell Michigan, his uncle Richard Benevento of Middleton, his former wife Deanne Benevento of Beverly, his uncle Frank Rooney and his wife Felicia of Lynn, his uncle Jack Rooney and his wife Kathleen of Salem, his aunt Maryanne Rooney-Hegan and her husband Mike of Wakefield, and also leaving behind and resided with nephews Ryan and Andrew Dudley, and niece Olivia Thompson, all of Queen Creek, Arizona, his niece Carley Remson Zamorano and her husband Aaron of Andover, his niece Courtney Remson of Plaistow, NH, his nephews Brian Rooney, Jr. and Liam Rooney, and his God-child and cousin Nicole Benevento of Beverly. He was preceded in death by the late Bob Rooney, his living wife Paige of Belmont, NH. James was the grandson of the late Frederick and Olga Benevento of Lynn, and of Frederick and Evelyn Rooney of Lynn, along with several cousins, extended family, and many lifelong friends.

Jamie was a graduate of Lynn Vocational Tech School. A skilled tradesman, he became a member of the Pipe Trades Union of Arizona, Local #469. His skills often led him to render aid to family, friends, neighbors and strangers who often became friends before the job was done. He could fix just about anything. Jamie was charismatic, loving, kind and caring with a huge heart. He carried an aura that drew people to him.

Jamie had a genuine unmatched love for his family, always concerned about the needs of others, putting those needs before his own. “That was Jamie”.

Jamie loved to travel, visiting several places, Jamaica being his favorite place to visit. He would often bring bundles of T-shirts and sneakers for the natives there. They looked forward to his visits. “That was Jamie”.

One particular visit god placed him at the right place at the right time, to save a drowning man. Swimming quite a distance risking his own life to save that man. “That was Jamie”.

James truly loved animals, especially his two rescue dogs Chuckie and Sara, referring to them as his children and caring for them until they passed within the last year and a half. His caring heart brought him on one occasion taking care of a baby bird he found in the backyard with a broken wing. He made a condo for the bird out of a shoe box, a split for its wing, bought worms to nourish it and hydrated the bird. He kept a watchful eye on that bird. His tender care paid off. Before long, the tiny bird flew from the shelter Jamie had made to protect the bird. Jamie was so pleased. “That was Jamie”.

He took a particular interest in children struggling with abandonment and abuse often telling church leaders “I really just want to help kids”.

Jamie had great curiosity in ancient biblical history and loved watching the History Channel. He enjoyed sharing the knowledge he learned. His favorite past time was collecting coins, spending hours examining each one for defects or special markings, hoping he’d find that million-dollar coin.

A neighbor commented that she believes the garage was Jamie’s natural habitat. Often seeing him building, tinkering or fixing something. He took after his grandfather Freddy in that regard. “That was Jamie”.

Jamie would often go into the desert searching for meteorites and panning for gold with his stepfather Duane often returning home with arrowheads and other Native American artifacts.

He loved working out at the gym and would often wake his nephew Andrew at 4 AM and take him along before Andrew headed off to school.

Jamie was funny, quick-witted and tossed out one-liners that would keep you laughing. He was always full of surprises.

Jamie was truly one of a kind. Visiting Lynn, he went to the beach. He brought home to Arizona a bottle of sea water and kelp. His intent was to help his nephew’s skin care routine, convincing Andrew to wash his face with it, even helping with the application and then sending him off to school. They repeated this again the next morning. Returning from school that day, Andrew said, “Uncle Jamie, this isn’t gonna work. There’s sand all over my desk.”

Jamie’s spirit was strong a stubborn at times. This is perhaps what saved his life after suffering a near fatal gunshot wound to the brain. The prognosis was grim, and he wasn’t expected to live. He was placed on life support. The doctors attempted to remove the life support with no success. Surrounded by his family, on the fourth day, the staff announced they would try one more time. Instructing his family to call his name loudly. His brother Michael called to him saying “Jamie, Jamie who am I?” A few times. Jamie opened his eyes and replied “Frank!” At that moment, Michael became Frank. Jamie was alive and breathing on his own. With the aid of his nurse by his bedside, he began to stand up. Wobbling just a little, she grabbed his arm. And he turned and said, “Only kidding!”, and asked “Where’s my dog?”.

Absolutely stunned, the staff and family realized they had just witnessed a miracle.

Like Lazarus rose up on the fourth day, so did he.

Jamie was a special kind of guy, born with a twinkle in his eyes. From then on, his mother would remind him of the miracle and often refer to him as Lazarus in conversation.

The aura he carried filled the room. His absence is profound. His death has left his family and those that really knew and loved him devastated. Jamie became the missing piece to the puzzle of life. When asked “How are you, Jamie?” His response was always “Livin’ the dream!” God had prepared a glorious place for Jamie to do just that. “Livin’ the dream” in the arms of the Lord, reunited with his brother Michael again.

A memorial visitation will be held for James on Friday, June 6, 2025, from 8AM to 10AM in the Cuffe-McGinn Funeral Home, 157 Maple Street, Lynn, followed by a Memorial Funeral Mass in St. Pius V Church, Lynn at 10:30AM. Immediately following Mass, a social celebration of life will be held in the Old Tyme Italian Restaurant, 612 Boston Street, Lynn. All in attendance are welcome.